This week in the DP Café:
Meet artists Rick Nilson and JEANNE ILLENYE
A Chat with artist Rick Nilson
How would you describe your painting style?
My style of painting could probably be best described as cruel. I try to draw like a technician and paint like a drunk sailor.
What was your earliest indication that you wanted to be a painter?
When I got tired of paintbrush on my computer and Cindy (my wife) told me to stretch some canvases or get a real job.
Do you come from a painting family, or did you pick it up on your own?
I am the only person in my family that would claim to have any artistic talent. My brother said he won't help me with the yellows at all.
What is your favorite movie & why?
"Raintree County" with Liz Taylor and Montgomery Cliff. I remember being as close to alone while watching that movie than at any other time in my life. Not to say being truly alone is a good thing or a bad thing.
Favorite book? Why?
"So Long and Thanks for all the fish". I love the absurdity of the human condition.
Favorite type of music? Why?
I like the blues. I can feel them.
Favorite color? Why?
My favorite color is Red.....No......Blue. Wait....what's the other one?
For how long have you been painting daily?
I have been painting mostly everyday for the last 2 years.
Do you complete a painting every day?
I try to complete one every day. Sometimes complete means different things on different days.
What's your typical day like?
I am up at 6 in the winter and 5 in the summer. I work in my studio until there is sufficient light to photo the painting I finished the night before or to go on photo excursions. At about 8:00 am Cindy is ready to go to work. I send her off and head for my studio a.k.a. mancave. I often paint until she comes home at 5:30. After an evening meal I usually paint some more or draw or figure out what I will paint next or blog. Sometimes I watch an hour of TV in bed. I try to get 6 to 7 hours of sleep; I never wonder if someone is going to kill me in my sleep.
What have you had the most fun painting?
I think I have the most fun painting Blue Crab paintings. I know the subject very well, but I don't paint them anymore. I am liking boats and beach scenes, and my pets, and often my wee mouton.
How would you like to be remembered?
"What was that guy all about?"
What is your favorite room in your house?
My favorite room has got to be the kitchen. I keep most of my food there.
If you could have dinner with anyone famous, past or present, who would that be?
If I could have dinner with anyone I wanted to, I would have dinner with Liz Taylor right after she finished filming "RainTree County"
What are you most proud of in your life?
The work I accomplished on the built environment and my progress to date as a painter.
What is one thing about you that few people know?
I am really not as much of a jerk as it may appear, once you get to know me, but that only happened one time.
What are people most surprised to find out about you?
I am almost as brilliant in person.
What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Determined.....no.... wait......puzzled.
If there was a movie made about your life, would it be a comedy or a drama?
If there was a movie made of my life it would probably be a sci-fi comedy with lots of drama. I have led an enchanted life.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love being a member of DailyPainters.com
See all of Rick Nilson's work at: http://www.dailypainters.com/artists/artist_gallery/2118/Rick-Nilson
A Chat with artist JEANNE ILLENYE
How would you describe your painting style?
Realism - at least that's what I aspire toward, since in actuality, it's unattainable
What was your earliest indication that you wanted to be a painter?
When I drew my first pictures, at age 2, then at age 4 when I made my first oil painting, then again when my father asked what I wanted to be when I grew up - and I said, "a famous artist"; he said, "an artist?" I said, "no, a FAMOUS artist"
Do you come from a painting family, or did you pick it up on your own?
Yes, I at age 4 I painted alongside my mother, who painted landscapes in palette knife. My grandmother and uncle also loved to draw.
What is your favorite movie & why?
Anything romantic from a bygone era, where the focus is on indulgences of visual beauty, i.e., vast, lush landscapes, gardens and grand castles, as well as gossamer fabrics, porcelain skin, brave, handsome men, etc. . . . anything where beauty is paramount, since today it is truly lacking on every level.
Favorite book? Why?
Same as the movies in terms of novels. However, I adore poetry, specifically Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnets of the Portuguese". Numerous other favorite poets as well. Another great book is "Leaves of Gold", which offers wisdom from famous people throughout history.
Favorite type of music? Why?
Classical, as it imitates and harmonizes with nature's music, meaning it doesn't clash and jar one's senses; rather, it elevates and inspires and promotes intellectual contemplation.
Favorite color? Why?
Always had been purple, which is the highest vibration of light, but lately I'm drawn a bit more toward lavender, periwinkle and mauve as well as chartreuse. Combinations of color drive me wild rather than a specific color. I believe color feeds us and our needs fluctuate throughout our lives, hence the emergence of color therapy, which I haven't sought at all, but which I likely fulfill on a daily basis in my line of work as an artist.
For how long have you been painting daily?
Several years, and since selling online in 1997, I've spent incredibly long days and nights painting up to 15 hours/day to meet commission demands. My larger florals can take up to several months to complete.
Do you complete a painting every day?
Absolutely N-O-T. My finer quality little gems require considerably more time as the refinement of detail, clarity of edges as well as my desire to eliminate brushstrokes and the nature of my medium, oils, all take extra time and effort, which I don't think many folks realize. Of course, I do still create a great deal of looser work to meet a specific price point on Ebay.
What's your typical day like?
Leisurely breakfast, make a to-do list, and right into my studio - unless it's spring or summer, in which case I get outside in my yard or gardens immediately to immerse myself
in nature's bounty - then, when the sun is too strong, go into my studio to work, although admittedly, it's tough to pull myself away and focus with the distraction of the beauty abounding outside my windows.
What have you had the most fun painting?
Still lifes, without a doubt.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a sensitive person - on many levels. One who contributed what I could, even if in small, daily, unmentionable ways, to not only enrich the lives of those close to me, but to enhance the lives of those who value my art and the purpose behind my work, as well as my meager efforts to donate time and money to help save the lives of helpless animals who need a voice . . . and to help bring enlightenment and encouragement to people in need. Basically to be thought of as a beautiful person who shared my gifts for good.
What is your favorite room in your house?
My living room, as it is huge, with doors and windows that are typically flung open (for three seasons) to bring in the fragrance of sweet, moist earth, delicate birdsong and soft breezes. I adore the panoramic views of the outdoors, including sparkling sunrises over the hill through silhouetted trees, as well as the low, warm glow of sunsets. In both cases, the low rays dance upon the interior architecture and furnishings, creating a drama. Often, I capture a glint of a rainbow, which I have always considered a positive omen.
If you could have dinner with anyone famous, past or present, who would that be?
---need to ponder that - such an enormous question. I'd like it to be someone of a peaceful heart, whose vision and comprehension of life was unsurpassed by physical desires. Someone who impacted or plans to impact the world with immense positive influence. A spiritual figure comes to mind . .
What are you most proud of in your life?
My blessings, i.e., the gift of all of my senses and sensibilities, particularly my heart, which is ruled by my maker and is fed by nature, and which is nurtured through my artistic endeavors.
What is one thing about you that few people know?
That another early dream was to be a ballerina, but I was getting too tall, although I was advanced in my training. Also, that I pursued a bachelor science degree, excelling in math and chemistry. My aptitudes proved that a viable course of pursuit would have been a violinist, which requires exceptional dexterity, tonal definition and tonal memory. That I can write upside-down and backwards with both hands simultaneously, which is likely a contributing factor to why I am able to paint from memory.
What one word would you use to describe yourself?
First impulse is to say real - meaning honest, down to earth, stable, grounded, confident. On a deeper, core level - pensive, contemplative, in a word, spiritual (not to be confused with religious).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nope, that's quite a bit for a rather reserved person to offer.
See all of JEANNE ILLENYE's work at: http://www.dailypainters.com/artists/artist_gallery/1043/JEANNE-ILLENYE
